Union Pacific Houston Cancer - Is Creosote Still Affecting Houstonians?
For decades, residents of Houston's Fifth Ward have argued the company hasn't done enough to clean up the creosote sludge that is buried at its contaminated rail yard. And now, the most recent tests have revealed that the contamination may continue to affect people who live nearby.
Researchers believe it is due to the high rate of cancers that are found in the area. Two years after the launch of an all-state health investigation Researchers found that there were higher than expected rates of lymphoblastic childhood as well as adult kidney and pelvis cancers in the region around the Union Pacific site.
Creosote
Creosote is one of the most common chemicals employed in the treatment of wood. Railroad Cancer Lawyer is also a toxic substance that can cause cancer in those exposed to it.
It is a thick, oily substance that is black or amber in appearance and has a smoky scent and burnt taste. It is a coal-tar distillation product that has been used for more than 150 years as a wood preserver.
In the United States, it is used to treat railroad ties as well as other types of wood, including fence posts, utility poles and marine pilings. It can also be used to guard log homes and other structures against rot and insect infestation.
According to Cancer Lawsuit Settlements United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), creosote is an extremely dangerous chemical. Exposure to creosote for short periods can result in skin and eye irritation, chemical burns stomach pains, burning of the mouth or throat, kidney or liver problems, and even permanent damage.
Long-term exposure to the sun can cause skin and scrotum cancer. This is a serious issue for those who come into direct contact with it during wood treatment or other manufacturing processes.
It is believed to be a human carcinogen as per the EPA. It has been linked with many types of cancer, including esophageal as well as lung cancer.
Houston's Fifth Ward residents have been exposed for decades to creosote thanks to a former railroad yard that was close to their homes. They claim that the chemical has caused soil and homes to be contaminated, and continues to spread underground.
Harris County and Houston have joined forces in the fight against Union Pacific in federal court. They would like the company to test regularly for contamination and to take measures to stop the spread of the disease.
A group of Fifth Ward neighbors filed an action against Union Pacific in October of 2017. They allege that creosote from the former rail yard is contaminating soil beneath their homes and causing serious health problems.
They are seeking compensation for their diseases and suffering and damages from the railroad to cover the cost of cleaning and other costs. They claim they have been harmed by racism in the environment and discrimination as well as other forms of pollution that have affected them and their families.
Dioxin
Dioxins are chemical compounds which do not break down quickly in the environment and can remain in the soil, air, or sediment for an extended period of. They can be derived from a variety of sources, including natural catastrophes, industrial accidents smoking cigarettes, and the incineration process of hazardous waste.
Although the health effects of dioxin at low levels are not well-studied, there is evidence that they can cause serious illnesses like cancer. Higher levels of dioxin have been linked to an increased risk of organ cancers, heart disease as well as immune-related issues and endocrine problems, including hormonal imbalances. They can also lead to reproductive problems, a weakened immune system, menstrual problems and diabetes and hair loss, weight gain and facial cysts known as chloracne.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the most common way people are exposed to dioxin is through drinking water or food. They aren't water-soluble or volatile, therefore they are more likely to be in the body through the consumption of meat, dairy products, fish and other seafood.
It is important to remember that exposure can cause harm to your health, based on numerous aspects, such as the amount you drink, eat, and how often you breathe. It is also important to take into consideration your gender, age as well as your diet, nutritional status and family traits, as well as other health factors that could influence whether you will be affected by dioxins or not.
In addition, the type of contaminant can be an important factor. According to the EPA, some toxins are more harmful than others for human health. For example, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are more likely to have a detrimental impact on your health than creosote.
PCBs can cause damage to the eyes as well as the liver, kidneys and kidneys. They can also harm the immune system of a person and interfere with the development of healthy bones and teeth.
For years, neighbors in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens have complained about a cluster of cancer deaths that has been tied to the Union Pacific rail yard, which is next to their neighborhoods. The city's health department reported on Friday that it had discovered cancer-causing substances in surface samples of the rail yard. The announcement said that the findings were not encouraging. FOX 26's Mayor Sylvester Turner stated that he intends to sue Union Pacific over the matter and that a proposal submitted by Texas environmental regulators will not be sufficient.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
PCBs, also known as polychlorinated biphenylsare harmful chemicals that have been in use for more than 60 years in both consumer and industrial products. After being shown to cause cancer and suppress the immune system, these chemicals were banned in 1979.
PCBs can be harmful to soil or water as well as air in many areas of the world once they are released into the environment. They are extremely binders to organic matter, and tend to be persistent, meaning they are relatively simple to transport and accumulate in the environment.
As a result, PCBs are a major issue for the protection of public health and the environment. They are classified as a probable human carcinogen by EPA, and have been demonstrated to cause cancer in lab animals.
Certain studies also show a link between PCBs to birth defects in children. This is particularly the case for children exposed PCBs in the womb.
PCBs are most commonly consumed through food. Fish is the most common source of exposure since they are the source of the most PCBs. However, PCBs can also be found in beef and dairy and other agricultural products.
Another way to get exposed to PCBs is through drinking and showering with water that is contaminated with PCBs. This could be due to leaks or spillages in electrical and other equipment.
People can also be exposed to PCBs by breathing in the air or through skin contact. These chemicals can trigger a condition called Chloracne. This is a tiny pale, yellow-colored skin lesions that last for several weeks to several years.
However, the effects of PCBs on the human body are not completely understood. Researchers have suggested that they could cause liver and biliary cancers in humans. However, more research is needed to understand how this impacts us.
EPA has also been investigating whether these chemicals could cause birth defects for newborns, including lower birth weight. Low birth weight is associated with insulin resistance, or Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease later in the course of. In two studies, children born with higher levels of PCBs in their cord blood had lower body weight at birth, and/or later in childhood.
Lead
Cancer Lawsuit Settlements is a toxic metal that is found in a wide range of products, including pipes, paints, and food cans. The body can absorb it through two major routes: oral and respiratory.
It is a potent chemical that can oxidize and react with other chemicals present in your environment. It is able to accumulate within the body, which can lead to serious health issues like cancer and other diseases.
Houston residents who live near to the Union Pacific Railroad's creosote-based plant that is its legacy have a high rate of cancer. The city has requested the federal government to direct the railroad to cleanse its contaminated site.
The Union Pacific Railroad has a history of contaminating its rail yard in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhood with chemicals that are carcinogenic to humans, including creosote. The company has tried to get rid of the contamination, but the plan presented to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is not enough residents say.
One of the most significant issues that resulted from the contamination is the plume of groundwater that is located beneath homes in the area. A recent study conducted by health officials has found that soil samples taken from the rail yard have a higher concentration of creosote than is recommended for drinking water.
Another concern is that creosote is slowly disappearing into the air. It can cause residents to breathe toxic levels of vapors, which can cause fatalities for both children and adults.
It is also possible that the particles are causing cancers among the residents who are breathing the vapors in. To find out more about the effect of the vapors on the lives of residents, a door-to-door survey is being done in the neighborhood.
This is a major issue for the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Garden communities. This is a tragic situation and should be taken care of immediately.
A Department of State Health Services study found that leukemia rates were five times higher for children who lived in the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens areas than was expected. The study also revealed that adult cancers were more common in these neighborhoods than in other areas of Texas.